Player Quick Pick: Los Alamitos for 7/3/2014

by Molly Jo Rosen

I think Michael Buble (and Nina Simone before him) said it best...

It's a new dawn... it's a new day...

Welcome to the new age of racing in the state of California: we're now running a full (albeit short) Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos!

Having long been a fan of LosAl, I - for one - am giddy. Not only is it a super safe surface for the horses, but (for the humans) the Vessels Club is the best-kept secret in racing.

The quick meet opens with a solid card highlighted by the Bertrando Stakes... here's my take:

Los Alamitos Race Course race 7 | 8 pm ET Bertrando Stakes for 3&up Cal-bred/sired going 1 mi.

1-Spirit Rules: fresh speed draws the rail off the win

2-Soi Phet: always runs his race

3-Rousing Sermon: versatile exotics play

4-Leaving New York: speedy turfer owns a win on the dirt

5-Full Dancer: back in Cali after a solid spring facing Kentucky's best

6-Rock Me Baby: will be rolling late

7-Tribal Jewel: try'r

8-Tiz a Minister: back to best surface off the layoff

9-Storm Fighter: should sit just off the pace & pounce

10-Better Bet: has to settle to run his best

Picks: 9 - 2 - 5 - 1